For the past eight years I have shared my New Year’s ritual to let go of the past and clarify my focus for the future. I know many of you have joined me in this ritual and I love hearing about your experiences. And this year to amp up this powerful process I have recorded a guided visualization and meditation as an extra special addition! Go here to get it. In this twelve- minute journey, I guide you through identifying the lessons and blessings from 2012 so you can clearly envision and begin creating what you’d like to experience in 2013.

Now onto my New Year’s tradition . . .

The following ritual does not involve making any kind of resolutions, which are usually promises to do something “more, better, or different.” We vow to exercise more, get a better job, fall in love, or find…

“I’ve reduced a lot of the stress in my life. I’ve gotten rid of a lot of things. The light was turned on and a lot of the cockroaches started spinning. I swept them out the door. And sometimes you just have to throw things out because they carry a certain energy.” Wesley Snipes

It’s a very cold, crisp day today, and perfect for an invigorating walk in the sunshine. My Great Nephew came along with me to the playground at the park behind where we live. I don’t know how he managed to talk me in to spinning on this silly contraption! It was fun though, and he laughed up a storm when I got off and just about fell over from dizzyness. A very enjoyable afternoon!

I like the quote for today – because I’ve been there, done that. Most of those cockroaches were monsters I created in my own brain. There’s still a few left in there – squiggling about every now and then . . . but it’s so much easier to squish them now than it was 10 or 15 years ago!

“When people look at my pictures I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.” Robert Frank

My 2012 365 is about to come to an end. My last picture will be Day 366 because of the Leap Year – I started January 14th, 2012 so January 13th, 2013 will be my last day.

I have not decided yet if I am going to repeat the 365. I have learned so much about myself, and about Photography as an art and science. I have so much more to learn. But I will say – the year of taking one picture every day of myself in some form or another has been transformational for me. Not only have I learned how to manipulate my camera so I can create the vision I have in my head . . . I’ve learned to see the world differently. Everything is a photo opportunity just waiting to happen. The greatest satisfaction I get is recording the beauty that is my Grandchildren, Nephews, family members, friends . . . special events that will live on forever through the magic of digital images. I can only encourage others to consider taking the same journey. You don’t need a fancy camera or expensive equipment. It’s not the camera that makes the picture . . . it’s the person who uses whatever device he has to capture the moment. Cel Phones have gotten so advanced, and there are amazing point and shoots on the market as well.

I also now have a wonderful extended family of like-minded souls. We have supported and encouraged each other every step of the way this past year. There have been times each one of us hit road blocks or obstacles that are just a part of every day life. During those times – our “family” gathered around and provided the encouragement and motivation needed to continue. Many of us were lucky enough to meet up in Las Vegas in November for a few days. Michael the Maven joined us. It was the highlight of my year to meet up with these amazing people.

If you are at all interested in challenging yourself in a different way than you ever have before . . . if you want to create a snapshot of each day of your life over the next year . . . if you want to follow through on a commitment to something that can change your life . . . this challenge is for you.

Check out Michael Andrew’s blog for further information, and updates on when the forums will be ready for posting.

“Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any control; now.” Denis Waitley

It’s the New Year – 2013 – a time when people set new goals and resolutions to be better and do better in the coming year.

I’ve never been good at setting or keeping New Years resolutions.

I see too many people make them and break them, so I decided a long time ago not to join that bandwagon. Why set myself up for failure – right? Little did I realize that even though I wasn’t setting those goals and resolutions with each new year . . . I was setting goals and resolutions throughout the year. Over the years I’ve said I was going to do something many times over, but I usually end up not finishing what I started. When I don’t finish what I say I want to do, I get mad at myself, get depressed and my self esteem goes in the tank. That’s when I need to look in the mirror and have a good chat with myself. I don’t get the results I want if I don’t follow through on what I say I want. I’m only letting one person down – myself.

I’m quite an expert at not finishing what I say I want to do. I’ve got a closet full of unfinished craft projects, and a calendar full of broken weight loss deadlines. One of the reason’s I decided to do this 365 Project is because I wanted to start something big, and finish something big . . . Posting a picture a day, of myself, and blogging about it every day – huge commitment!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

It’s New Years Day 2013, and we must finally head home to Vancouver, BC. I will do just about anything to spend time with my Grandkids . . . so I could not resist this shot! She climbed in to an IKEA shopping bag . . . perfect opportunity for me to make off with her! But darn – I was stopped at the door by Mommy. Oh well . . . better luck next time!

“I have noticed that youngsters given to the climbing habit usually do something when they grow up.” Elbert Hubbard

I climbed trees when I was a young child. I remember getting to the top of a particularly tall tree (to me anyway) when I was about 7 or 8 years old. I was absolutely stunned by the view. We lived on the North Shore of Lake Superior at the time on a ridge about two miles from the lake. There was no development of any kind between us and the lake. Climbing that tree and seeing that completely unobstructed view made a huge impression on me. My world was quite small until that moment. It really hadn’t occurred to me that there was a lot more “world” out there. But here was my proof!

In that tree – I could see “everything”. I was on top of the world!

And here is my Grand Daughter learning to do the same thing! She’s a natural climber – just like her Grandma.

“I just think that giving a child a chance and sharing what you have with a child is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, as well as a child.” Hillary Clinton

We arrived at my Son’s today.

I promised Chloe that we’d spend New Years with her, and have a fondue party. We did that last year at our home in Canada – she remembers it and wanted to do it again. Since we didn’t spend Christmas with them, we opened presents shortly after we arrived. I have to say that I think this particular present was perhaps the most special one I’ve received this year. Her Mommy said that she did this all herself . . . no prompting from her at all. She wrapped a sheet of stickers in kleenex, taped it up with more stickers, and wrote Grandma Beth on it. I love it!

“My own eyes are no more than scouts on a preliminary search, or the camera’s eye may entirely change my idea.” Edward Weston

We’ve headed for home via the Oregon Coast, with a stop at my Son’s for New Years Eve.

At one point during the drive along the coast, I looked down to see that I had two camera’s in my lap, ready for any photo opportunity that presented itself. I tend to see everything as a photo op now . . . though I am becoming more and more selective in what I shoot. A year ago, I would shoot frame after frame of the same thing. Now I am quite a bit more discerning . . . and try to find the not so obvious beauty in the frame. I’m not always that successful . . . but every once in awhile a really, really good shot sneaks through!

I’m excited for where the New Year is going to take me in my Photography journey. I’ll be starting a 52 Week Challenge that has Monthly Technique Themes. Check out Michael The Maven’s Forum for more details if you’d like to participate as well.